Throttle controlling mechanism



April 4, 1944..

w.'A. EATON 2,346,015 THROTTLE CONTROLLING MECHNISM Filed Oct. 27. 1941 Q n g Q m N hu. 0 nocoooo N E m N d) l `v xo ',o l ,vgl kb l u) i m28 O i l O 0 OOCGO m A o1 u) l l r V03 N E F la g '1 l' I' jl.;

. il f W N k d P' Y) N n f Nif/Q x i: El! $2 E "SKT-1 mfredA.Eal'o/c n @3M @f5/LW Patented Apr. 4, 1944 2,346,015 v 'rHaoT'rLE ooNTRoLLlNG MircHANIsM Wilfred A. Eaton, Elyria, Ohio, assigner to Bendix-Westinghouse Automotive `Air Brake Company, Elyria, Ohio, a corporation` of Delaware l Application'etober 27, 1941, Serial No. 416,718 Y 8 Claims. (Cl. 137-139) This invention relates to uid pressure controlling apparatus and more particularly to a mechanism for remotely controlling the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine.

Various types of constructions have been heretofore proposed for remotely controlling the throttle of an internal combustion engine and such devices have been controlled in various manners, such as, for example, by complicated rnetion will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is employed for purposes of illustration only and. is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this latter purpose to the appended claims.

chanical linkages, by hydraulic fluid lines or by m Referring to the drawing, the single ligure compressed air lines. In cases Where a source therein illustrates the present invention in diaof compressed air is available on the vehicle, it grammatic form, certain parts of which are is highly desirable to use such source of energy shown in section. More particularly, an engine for operating various controls of the vehicle ini having an intake manifold 2 is provided with a luding the throttle valve. Among the problems l throttle valve 3 adapted to be controlled in its presented in compressed air installations, howopening and closing movements by a fluid motor ever, is that of securing a suiiiciently high com- 4. While the throttle 3 is illustrated as being of presser speed so as to secure a substantially rapid the type adapted to be used in connection with build-up of the pressure in the system when it is an updraft carburetor (not shown), it is to be desired to move the Vehicle after it has been understood that this type of construction has standing for a suflicient time that the air in the been selected for purposes 0f illustration only system has been depleted. For example, if the and that the throttle valve is merely representavehicle has been stationary for a suicient length tive of all types Of throttle Vall/@S Which er@ of time so that there is substantially little air in adapted to be moved to open or closed position the system, the engine must be operated at a, Suf.. in order to control the speed of an internal comcient speed to in turn operate the compressor bustion engine. to build up the pressure in the reservoir, and, Means are DI'OViClBd OI aSSOCieting the fluid since this pressure is utilized to operate the throtmotor ll with a source of compressed air and, as tle, it will be readily observed that it is highly shown, such means include an engine driven Comdesirable to have some mechanism for opening 'iil PI'ESSOI 5 adapted t0 Supply Compressed ail t0 a the engine throttle to secure the desired engine reservoir 6 through Conduit 1, e Suitable type 0f speed under such conditions, unloading mechanism 8 being arranged to conlt is, accordingly, an object of the present introl the action of the compressor. Reservoir ii is Vention to provide a throttle controlling System connected to the uid motor ll through conduits adapted to be operated by compressed air and so :is 9 and iii, a manually Operable Valve ll 0f any constituted as t0 solve the above pr0b1emsuitable construction, such as that shown, for ex- Another object is to provide throttle controlample, in Andres et ul- Patent NO 2,133,275, ling system adapted to be controlled by comglailted OCtObeI 18, 1938, being ilieIDOSed bepressed air in Such a, manner that the engine tween these last tWO named COlldlli'tS lll Order' t0 speed may be increased beyond normal idling 4o furnish a manually Operable COHYOlliIig mechspeed regardless of the fact that no compressed Deism fO-l graduating the 110W 0f Compressed ail air is present, in the System, from the reservoir 6 to the uid motor 4 and for A further object is t0 provide a, construction COIIIOlliIlg the eXhauSt 0f COmpIeSSed all' from wherein the engine throttle is automatically adthe latter to atmosphere through an atmospheric vanced when the pressure in the compressed air connection I2 associated with the valve Il. system drops to a, predetermined Value, In Order t0 interconnect the throttle Valve 3 Still another object is to provide a compressed With the fluid mOtOI 4, the fOI'mel iS piOVided air operated throttle controlling system which With an Operating Shaft I3 to Which a lever arm shall be positive and simple in construction and i4 iS Secured in any Suitable manuel. The latter operation and which will automatically control iS COIlIleCted t0 a piStOIl IOd i5 tlliOugll a Din the engine throttle to the end that the engine and slot connection I6 associated with the free may be operated at a speed above idling speed to end 0f lever I4 and a rod Il adjustably threadedltr secure a quick build-up of pressure in the system Connected to the outer end of the piston rod. prior to starting of the vehicle, The latter extends into a cylinder i8 of the motor Other objects and novel features of the inven- 4 and is provided on its inner end with a piston I9. Preferably, the piston rod I is hollow and filled with a suitable ltering material in order to exclude dust from the interior of the cylinder as air passes into and from the cylinder through openings 2| and 22 in the side Wall of the piston rod. Normally, the piston I9 is urged to the position shown as by means of a spring 23 and the construction is such that, with the parts occupying the position shown on the drawing, the throttle valve 3 is resiliently moved to its closed or normal idling position. It will be understood that this closed position is that normally referred to in the art as the closed throttle position and that the construction of the carburetor (not shown) is such that the engine will operate at its normal idling speed when the throttle valve is moved to the position referred to.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that, if there is no pressure in the reservoir 6, the throttle valve will remain in closed position. In such event, if the operator desired to start the engine, it would be impossible to increase the speed of the engine beyond normal idling speed until the engine had operated the compressor 5.a suicient length of time to build up enough pressure in reservoir 6 to move the piston I9 against the tension of the spring 23. Under such conditions, the engine may stall because of the inability to increase the opening of the throttle. If the engine did not stall, an appreciable amount of time would be consumed to build up the pressure in reservoir 6 to effect an opening of the throttle in order that the engine speedmay be increased to in turn augment the rate of Vbuild-up of pressure so that the operator mayproceed with the vehicle with a sufficient supply of compressed air to properly operate the various vehicle controls usually associated with a compressed air system, such as vehicle brakes, clutch, etc.

In order to overcome the above difliculties, the present invention provides a separate fluid controlled motor 24 associated with the fluid motor 4 in such a maner that, when the pressure of the compressed air in reservoir 6 is at or below a predetermined value, the piston I9 of the motor -4 will be positively moved to a throttle opening position. Preferably, the construction is such that, under the above circumstances, the l throttle of the engine will be advanced to a position somewhat in excess of the normal idling position, such as, for example, to the dotted line position shown at 25. As shown,`the fluid motor 24 includes ahousing 26 sourrounding and secured in any suitable manner to one end of the cylinder I8, and adjustably threadedly associated with the open end of the housing 26 is a cylinder 27. A piston 28 is housed within the cylinder 21 and is normally urged toward `the left, as viewed in the drawing, as by means of a spring 29. The piston 28 is provided with an extended portion 30 adapted to engage the inner end of the piston I 9, and, in the event that there is no uid pressure in the reservoir 6, thev piston 28 is urged to the left'to' move the piston 'I5 in the same direction through contact between vthe extension 3l] and piston I 9, whereuponthe throttle valve 3 will bemoved to the advanced open position indicated at 25.

In order to limit the advance movement of the piston 28, the latter is provided with a radially extendingshoulder 3| adaptedto engage a cup-shaped member 32 clamped between a shoulder of the housing 26.and the inner end of cylinder 21. The member 32, in addition to providing a stop for limiting the movement of the piston 28, also provides an end seal for the uid motor 4, it being pointed out that the extension 30 carries a suitable sealing ring 33 which cooperates with the inner periphery of the cup 32 as shown. Similar sealing rings 34 and 35' are carried by the cylinder 27 and are in fluid sealing engagement with the interior of the housing 26. A further sealing ring 36 is carried by the piston 28 and is adapted to bear against the interior of the cylinder 21.

Assuming that there is no pressure in the reservoirl 6, it will be understood from the foregoing that the spring 29 urges the piston 28 to the left, as viewed in the gure, to a position where .the shoulder 3| abuts the cup-shaped member 32. This will advance the piston I5 and move the throttle valve 3 to the advanced position shown at 25. Thus, when the engine is started, a fast idle condition Will obtain and "there will be little'likelihood of the engine stalling. Moreover, the'increased speed of the engine, beyond that which would be obtainable if the throttle were closed to the normal idling position, will operate the compressor 5 at such a rate of speed as to rapidly build up a supply of compressed air in the reservoir 6.

The present invention is so constructed and arranged that, upon a predetermined pressure being built up in the reservoir 6, the throttle advancing effect of the auxiliary uid motor 24 of the fluid motor 4 is removed. For this purpose, the reservoir 6 is constantly in communication through conduit 3'I with a chamber 38, the limits of which are defined by the sealing membersi33-and 36. Thus, when the pressure in the reservoir 6 and in chamber 33 gradually builds up, the piston 28 will be gradually moved to the right, as viewed in the figure, compressing thespring 29 and permitting the throttle valve 3 to be gradually returned from its advance position 25 to its normally closed position through .the action of spring 23 urging the piston I9 to the position shown on the drawing. Thus, as the Y pressure is being built up, the throttle advancing effect of the auxiliary motor 24 upon the motor 4 is gradually removed. If at any time, however, during operation of the vehicle, the pressure of the compressed air in reservoir 6 and chamber 38 should fall below the value determined by the setting of spring 29, it will be readily apparent that the latter will `gradually move the piston 28 and ,piston I5 to the fast idle position as heretofore described.

By the present invention, there has thus been provided a ycompressed air throttle controlling mechanism which will automatically advance the throttle to asubstantially open position irrespective of the fact that .there is insumcient air in the system to secure throttle advance by manipulation of the manual control valve. The construction is compact, positively operable and comprises relatively few parts so that .itsvincorporation in connection with remotely controlled engine throttle valvesmay be readily and' easily eiected.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein with considerable particularity, it will be readily under- .stood that the same is not limited to the form shown but is capable of a variety of expressions invention. Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a throttle and a compressor driven by said engine, a compressed air reservoir connected with said compressor, means for?` controlling the opening and closing movements of the throttle comprising a fluid motor having a piston operatively connected with the throttle, resilient means normally urging said piston to throttle closing position, manually operable means interconnecting the reservoir and motor for graduating the flow of compressed air to and from the motor to control throttle opening and throttle closing operations thereof, and means subjected to reservoir pressure for positively moving said piston to effect a partial opening of the throttle upon a decrease in reservoir pressure to a predetermined amount.

2. A throttle controlling mechanism for an internal combustion engine throttle valve comprising a fluid motor having a piston connected with the throttle valve, a reservoir of compressed air, resilient means normally urging the piston to throttle closing position, a manually operable valve for controlling the application of compressed air from the reservoir to the motor to eifect throttle opening movement of said piston, a second fluid motor having a piston resiliently urged to engage and move the rst named piston to a partial throttle opening position, and means for subjecting the second named piston to reservoir pressure for moving the same out of engagement with the first named piston when the reservoir pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

3. A compressed air operated throttle valve mechanism comprising a fluid motor having a pressure responsive member movable to open and close a throttle valve, manually operable means for controlling the flow of compressed air to and from the motor, a second fluid motor having a pressure responsive ele-ment therein, means to subject the element to the pressure of a source of compressed air to move the element in one direction, and a spring for moving the element in the opposite direction to engage and move the mem.- ber to a throttle opening position upon a decrease in the pressure of the air from said source to a predetermined value.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a throttle controlled intake manifold and a source of compressed air, means for controlling theopening and closing movements of the throttle comprising a fluid motor operatively connected With said source, said motor comprising a cylinder having a piston connected to the throttle, a second motor having a cylinder connected with the rst cyclinder, a piston in the second named cylinder and positioned in alignment With the rst named piston, resilient means for moving the second piston into contact with the first piston to move both pistons to a throttle-advanced position, and means to connect the second cylinder and source whereby the pressure from the latter moves the second piston out of contact with the rst piston.

5. In combination with en internal combustion engine having a throttle controlled intake manifold and a source of compressed air, means for controlling the opening and closing movements of the throttle comprising a fluid motor operatively connected with said source, said motor comprising a cylinder having a piston connected to the throttle, and means responsive to a drop in pressure to a predetermined amount for automatically moving said piston to a throttle-advanced position, said last named means having a cylinder arranged coaxially with the rst named cylinder and a piston Within the last cylinder arranged to contact and move the first named piston upon occurrence of said pressure drop.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine heaving a throttle controlled intake manifold and a source of compressed air, means for controlling the opening and closing movement of the throttle comprising a fluid motor operatively connected with said source, said motor comprising a cylinder having a piston connected to the throttle, a second motor having a cylinder connected with the first cylinder, a piston in the second named cylinder and positioned in alignment with the rst named piston, resilient means for moving the second piston into contact with the rst piston to move both pistons to a throttle-advanced position, a cup-shaped member interposed between said cylinders and forming a stop for said second piston, and means connecting said source and said second cylinder for moving the second piston out of contact with the rst piston when the pressure of the source is above a predetermined value.

7. A compressed air operated throttle valve control system having a throttle valve actuating mechanism including a pressure-responsive member movable to open and close a throttle valve and a second pressure-responsive member adapted for engagement with said rst member and.

movable to open the throttle valve, means for subjecting said members to pressure from a source of compressed air for moving said rst named member in one direction to open the throttle valve and for moving said second named member in the opposite direction, and means operable for moving said second named member in said one direction and into engagement with said rst named member for moving the latter to open the throttle valve when tne pressure to which said lmembers are subjected decreases to a pressure below a predetermined value.

8. A compressed air operated throttle valve control system having a throttle valve actuating mechanism including a pressure-responsive member movable to open and close a throttle valve and a second pressure-responsive member adapted for engagement with said rst member and movable to open the throttle valve, means for subjecting said members to pressure from a source of compressed air for moving said iirst named member 1n one direction to open the throttle Valve and lor moving said second named member in the opposite direction, and means operable for moving said second named member in said one direction and into engagement with said first named member for moving the latter to open the throttle valve when the pressure at said source decreases to a pressure below a predetermined value.

WIT-FRED A EATON. 

